Public Hearings for the Atlantic Fleet Active Sonar Training Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement, 8856-8858 [E8-2810]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 32 / Friday, February 15, 2008 / Notices
public has been notified of the Council’s
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Except for advertised (scheduled)
public hearings and public comment,
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agenda are subject to change.
Special Accommodations
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Requests for sign language
interpretation or other auxiliary aids
should be directed to the Council office
(see ADDRESSES) by February 29, 2008.
Dated: February 12, 2008.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8–2888 Filed 2–14–08; 8:45 am]
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Issued in Washington, DC on February 11,
2008, by the Commission.
David A. Stawick,
Secretary of the Commission.
[FR Doc. E8–2953 Filed 2–14–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6351–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
Strategic Environmental Research and
Development Program, Scientific
Advisory Board
Department of Defense.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: This Notice is published in
accordance with section 10(a)(2) of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub.
L. 92–463). The topic of the meeting on
March 11–12, 2008 is to review new
start and continuing research and
development projects requesting
Strategic Environmental Research and
Development Program funds in excess
of $1 M. This meeting is open to the
public. Any interested person may
attend, appear before, or file statements
with the Scientific Advisory Board at
the time and in the manner permitted by
the Board.
DATES: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 from 9
a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, March 12,
2008 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
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SERDP Program Office
Conference Center, 901 North Stuart
Street, Suite 804, Arlington, VA 22203.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Sharee Malcolm, SERDP Program Office,
901 North Stuart Street, Suite 303,
Arlington, VA or by telephone at (703)
696–2119.
ADDRESSES:
Dated: February 8, 2008.
L.M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 08–677 Filed 2–14–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–M
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Public Hearings for the Atlantic Fleet
Active Sonar Training Draft
Environmental Impact Statement/
Overseas Environmental Impact
Statement
Department of the Navy, DoD.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c)
of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) of 1969 and regulations
implemented by the Council on
Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts
1500 to 1508), and Presidential
Executive Order 12114, the Department
of the Navy (Navy) has prepared and
filed with the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement/
Overseas Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS/OEIS) on February 8,
2008, which evaluates the potential
environmental effects associated with
the use of mid- and high-frequency
active sonar technology and the
improved extended echo ranging (IEER)
system during Atlantic Fleet Active
Sonar Training (AFAST) activities
within and adjacent to existing Navy
Operating Areas (OPAREAs) located
along the East Coast of the United States
and in the Gulf of Mexico. Navy
OPAREAs include designated ocean
areas near fleet concentration areas (i.e.,
homeports). OPAREAs are where the
majority of routine Navy training and
research, development, test, and
evaluation (RDT&E) activities occur.
However, Navy training exercises are
not confined to the OPAREAs. Some
training exercises or portions of
exercises are conducted seaward of the
OPAREAs and a limited amount of
active sonar use is conducted in water
areas shoreward of the OPAREAs. A
Notice of Intent for this Draft EIS/OEIS
was published in the Federal Register
on 29 September 2006 (71 FR 57489).
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 32 / Friday, February 15, 2008 / Notices
The Navy will conduct six public
hearings to receive oral and written
comments on the Draft EIS/OEIS.
Federal agencies, state agencies, and
local agencies and interested
individuals are invited to be present or
represented at the public hearings. This
notice announces the dates and
locations of the public hearings for this
Draft EIS/OEIS.
DATES AND ADDRESSES: An open house
session will precede the scheduled
public hearing at each of the locations
listed below and will allow individuals
to review the information presented in
the AFAST Draft EIS/OEIS. Navy
representatives will be available during
the open house sessions to clarify
information related to the AFAST Draft
EIS/OEIS. All meetings will start with
an open house session from 5 p.m. to 7
p.m. A formal presentation and public
comment period will be held from 7
p.m. to 9 p.m. Public hearings will be
held on the following dates and at the
following locations: March 4, 2008 at
the Tidewater Community College,
Advanced Technology Center,
Technology Theater, Faculty Drive,
Virginia Beach, Virginia; March 6, 2008
at Boston University, Kenmore
Classroom Building, Room 101, 565
Commonwealth Avenue, Boston,
Massachusetts; March 11, 2008 at the
Crystal Coast Civic Center, 1st Floor,
Quads 1 and 2, 3505 Arendell Street,
Morehead City, North Carolina; March
13, 2008 at the Charleston Harbor Resort
and Marina, Atlantic Ballroom, 20
Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant,
South Carolina; March 18, 2008 at the
Florida Community College at
Jacksonville, Nathan H. Wilson Center
for the Arts, Lakeside Conference Room,
11901 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville,
Florida; and March 19, 2008 at the
Florida State University, Panama City
Campus, Auditorium, 4750 Collegiate
Drive, Panama City, Florida.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Naval Facilities Engineering Command,
Atlantic, Attention, Code EV22 (Atlantic
Fleet Sonar Project Manager), 6506
Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia
23508–1278; phone 757–322–4767 for a
recorded message; or https://
afasteis.gcsaic.com.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Proposed Action is to designate areas
where mid- and high-frequency active
sonar and the IEER system training,
maintenance, and RDT&E activities will
occur, and to conduct these activities.
AFAST training and RDT&E activities
involving active sonar and the IEER
system are collectively described as
active sonar activities in the AFAST
Draft EIS/OEIS. These active sonar
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15:58 Feb 14, 2008
Jkt 214001
activities are not new and do not
involve significant changes in systems,
tempo, or intensity from past activities.
The purpose of the Proposed Action is
to provide active sonar training for U.S.
Navy Atlantic Fleet ship, submarine,
and aircraft crews, and to conduct
RDT&E activities to support the
requirements of the Fleet Readiness
Training Plan (FRTP) and stay proficient
in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and
Mine Warfare (MIW) skills. The FRTP is
the Navy’s training cycle that requires
naval forces to build up in preparation
for operational deployment and to
maintain a high level of proficiency and
readiness while deployed.
The FRTP requires Basic Unit Level
Training (ULT), Intermediate ULT, and
Sustainment Training. The Navy meets
these requirements during Independent
ULT, Coordinated ULT, and Strike
Group Training. At the beginning of the
cycle, basic combat skills are learned
and practiced during basic Independent
ULT activities. Basic skills are then
refined during Coordinated ULT. Strike
Group Training is integrated training
using progressively more difficult,
complex, and large-scale exercises
conducted at an increasing tempo. This
training provides the warfighter with
the skills necessary to function as part
of a coordinated fighting force in a
hostile environment with the capacity to
accomplish multiple missions.
Surface ships and submarines
participating in the training also must
conduct active sonar maintenance pier
side and during transit to the training
exercise location. The active sonar
maintenance is required to ensure that
the sonar system is operating properly
before engaging in the training exercise
or when the sonar systems are suspected
of operating at levels below optimal
performance.
Additionally, RDT&E provides the
Navy the capability of developing new
active sonar systems and ensuring their
safe and effective implementation for
the Atlantic Fleet. The RDT&E activities
analyzed in the AFAST Draft EIS/OEIS
are similar to, and coincident with,
Atlantic Fleet training events and have
not been previously evaluated in other
environmental planning documents.
The Navy’s need for training and
RDT&E is found in Title 10 of the USC,
Section 5062 (10 U.S.C. 5062). Title 10
U.S.C. 5062 requires the Navy to be
‘‘organized, trained, and equipped
primarily for prompt and sustained
combat incident to operations at sea.’’
The current and emerging training and
RDT&E activities addressed in this Draft
EIS/OEIS are conducted in fulfillment of
this legal requirement.
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8857
The Draft EIS/OEIS evaluates the
potential environmental impacts of four
alternatives. Under Alternative 1,
Designate Fixed Active Sonar Areas,
fixed active sonar areas would be
designated using an environmental
analysis to determine locations that
would minimize environmental effects
to biological resources while still
meeting operational requirements.
These areas would be available for use
year-round. Under Alternative 2,
Designate Seasonal Active Sonar Areas,
active sonar training areas would be
designated using the same
environmental analysis conducted
under Alternative 1. The areas would be
adjusted seasonally to minimize effects
to marine resources while still meeting
minimum operational requirements.
Under Alternative 3, Designate Areas of
Increased Awareness, the results of the
environmental analysis conducted for
Alternative 1 and 2 were used in
conjunction with a qualitative
environmental analysis of sensitive
habitats to identify areas of increased
awareness. Active sonar would not be
conducted within these areas of
increased awareness. The No Action
Alternative can be regarded as
continuing with the present course of
action. Under the No Action
Alternative, the Navy would continue
conducting active sonar activities
within and adjacent to existing
OPAREAs rather than designate active
sonar areas or areas of increased
awareness. The No Action Alternative is
the Navy’s Operationally Preferred
Alternative.
The Navy analyzed potential impacts
on multiple resources including, but not
limited to, the marine environment,
marine life, and socioeconomic
resources. No significant adverse
impacts are identified for any resource
area in any geographic location within
the AFAST Study Area that cannot be
mitigated, with the exception of
exposure of marine mammals and sea
turtles to underwater sound. NMFS has
received a request for Letter of
Authorization (LOA) in accordance with
the Marine Mammal Protection Act to
authorize the incidental take of marine
mammals that may result from the
implementation of the activities
analyzed in the AFAST Draft EIS/OEIS.
In addition, the AFAST Draft EIS/OEIS
will serve as the Biological Evaluation
(BE) to enter into consultation with
NMFS in accordance with Section 7 of
the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to
authorize the incidental take of
endangered or threatened marine
mammals and sea turtles that may result
from the implementation of the
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8858
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 32 / Friday, February 15, 2008 / Notices
activities analyzed in the AFAST Draft
EIS/OEIS. ESA consultation is complete
once NMFS prepares a final Biological
Opinion and issues an incidental take
statement.
The AFAST Draft EIS/OEIS was
distributed to Federal, State, and local
agencies, elected officials, and other
interested individuals and organizations
on February 8, 2007. The public
comment period will end on March 31,
2008. Copies of the AFAST Draft EIS/
OEIS are available for public review at
the following libraries: Portland Public
Library, 5 Monument Square, Portland,
Maine; New London Public Library, 63
Huntington Street, New London,
Connecticut; Kirn Memorial Library,
301 East City Hall Avenue, Norfolk,
Virginia; Carteret County Public Library,
210 Turner Street, Morehead City, North
Carolina; Charleston County Public
Library, 68 Calhoun Street, Charleston,
South Carolina; Jacksonville Public
Library, 303 North Laura Street,
Jacksonville, Florida; Bay County Public
Library, 25 West Government Street,
Panama City, Florida; Corpus Christi
Public Library—Central Library, 805
Comanche, Corpus Christi, Texas;
Boston Public Library—Central Library,
700 Boylston Street, Boston,
Massachusetts; Ann Arundel County
Public Library, 1410 West Street,
Annapolis, Maryland; and Camden
County Public Library, 1410 Highway
40 East, Kingsland, Georgia.
The AFAST Draft EIS/OEIS is also
available for electronic public viewing
at https://afasteis.gcsaic.com. A paper
copy of the Executive Summary or a
single CD with the AFAST Draft EIS/
OEIS will be made available upon
written request by contacting Naval
Facilities Engineering Command,
Atlantic, Attention: Code EV22 (Atlantic
Fleet Sonar Project Manager), 6506
Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia
23508–1278, Fax: 888–875–6781.
Federal, State, and local agencies and
interested parties are invited to be
present or represented at the public
hearing. Written comments can also be
submitted during the open house
sessions preceding the public hearings.
Oral statements will be heard and
transcribed by a stenographer; however,
to ensure the accuracy of the record, all
statements should be submitted in
writing. All statements, both oral and
written, will become part of the public
record on the Draft EIS/OEIS and will be
responded to in the Final EIS/OEIS.
Equal weight will be given to both oral
and written statements.
In the interest of available time, and
to ensure all who wish to give an oral
statement have the opportunity to do so,
each speaker’s comments will be limited
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15:58 Feb 14, 2008
Jkt 214001
to three (3) minutes. If a long statement
is to be presented, it should be
summarized at the public hearing with
the full text submitted either in writing
at the hearing, or mailed or faxed to
Naval Facilities Engineering Command,
Atlantic, Attention: Code EV22 (Atlantic
Fleet Sonar Project Manager), 6506
Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia
23508–1278, Fax: 888–875–6781. In
addition, comments may be submitted
on-line at https://afasteis.gcsaic.com
during the comment period. All written
comments must be postmarked by
March 31, 2008 to ensure they become
part of the official record. All comments
will be addressed in the Final EIS/OEIS.
Dated: February 8, 2008.
T.M. Cruz,
Lieutenant, Judge Advocate General’s Corps,
U.S. Navy, Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E8–2810 Filed 2–14–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Notice of Proposed Information
Collection Requests
Department of Education.
The IC Clearance Official,
Regulatory Information Management
Services, Office of Management, invites
comments on the proposed information
collection requests as required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before April 15,
2008.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires
that the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) provide interested
Federal agencies and the public an early
opportunity to comment on information
collection requests. OMB may amend or
waive the requirement for public
consultation to the extent that public
participation in the approval process
would defeat the purpose of the
information collection, violate State or
Federal law, or substantially interfere
with any agency’s ability to perform its
statutory obligations. The IC Clearance
Official, Regulatory Information
Management Services, Office of
Management, publishes that notice
containing proposed information
collection requests prior to submission
of these requests to OMB. Each
proposed information collection,
grouped by office, contains the
following: (1) Type of review requested,
e.g. new, revision, extension, existing or
reinstatement; (2) Title; (3) Summary of
the collection; (4) Description of the
AGENCY:
SUMMARY:
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need for, and proposed use of, the
information; (5) Respondents and
frequency of collection; and (6)
Reporting and/or Recordkeeping
burden. OMB invites public comment.
The Department of Education is
especially interested in public comment
addressing the following issues: (1) Is
this collection necessary to the proper
functions of the Department; (2) will
this information be processed and used
in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate
of burden accurate; (4) how might the
Department enhance the quality, utility,
and clarity of the information to be
collected; and (5) how might the
Department minimize the burden of this
collection on the respondents, including
through the use of information
technology.
Dated: February 11, 2008.
Angela C. Arrington,
IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information
Management Services, Office of Management.
Office of Vocational and Adult
Education
Type of Review: Extension.
Title: Guide for the Development of a
State Plan under the Adult Education
and Family Literacy Act (Title II of the
Workforce Investment Act of 1998).
Frequency: Annually.
Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal
Gov’t, SEAs or LEAs.
Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour
Burden:
Responses: 59.
Burden Hours: 2,655.
Abstract: The Adult Education and
Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), Title II of
the Workforce Investment Act of 1998
(WIA), Public Law 105–220 provides
formula funding to States to support
adult education instruction at the State
level. Section 224 of Public Law 105–
220 required States submit to the
Department their plan for how they
address the requirements of the Act,
including agreeing upon levels of
performance identified in section 212.
Congress did not enact new legislation
prior to the expiration of the law in
2003, however, they continue to extend
program appropriations for each
additional year in annual appropriation
laws, respectively. While it is unlikely
that Congress will reauthorize the
expired Workforce Investment Act of
1998 (WIA) this year, appropriations for
FY 2008 was signed into law by the
President on December 27, 2007. This
Guide will continue to, as it has since
the expiration of WIA advise States on
how to continue their Adult Education
programs. Requests for copies of the
proposed information collection request
may be accessed from https://
E:\FR\FM\15FEN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 32 (Friday, February 15, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8856-8858]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-2810]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Public Hearings for the Atlantic Fleet Active Sonar Training
Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact
Statement
AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and regulations implemented by the Council on
Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts 1500 to 1508), and Presidential
Executive Order 12114, the Department of the Navy (Navy) has prepared
and filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS/OEIS) on February 8, 2008, which evaluates the potential
environmental effects associated with the use of mid- and high-
frequency active sonar technology and the improved extended echo
ranging (IEER) system during Atlantic Fleet Active Sonar Training
(AFAST) activities within and adjacent to existing Navy Operating Areas
(OPAREAs) located along the East Coast of the United States and in the
Gulf of Mexico. Navy OPAREAs include designated ocean areas near fleet
concentration areas (i.e., homeports). OPAREAs are where the majority
of routine Navy training and research, development, test, and
evaluation (RDT&E) activities occur. However, Navy training exercises
are not confined to the OPAREAs. Some training exercises or portions of
exercises are conducted seaward of the OPAREAs and a limited amount of
active sonar use is conducted in water areas shoreward of the OPAREAs.
A Notice of Intent for this Draft EIS/OEIS was published in the Federal
Register on 29 September 2006 (71 FR 57489).
[[Page 8857]]
The Navy will conduct six public hearings to receive oral and
written comments on the Draft EIS/OEIS. Federal agencies, state
agencies, and local agencies and interested individuals are invited to
be present or represented at the public hearings. This notice announces
the dates and locations of the public hearings for this Draft EIS/OEIS.
DATES AND ADDRESSES: An open house session will precede the scheduled
public hearing at each of the locations listed below and will allow
individuals to review the information presented in the AFAST Draft EIS/
OEIS. Navy representatives will be available during the open house
sessions to clarify information related to the AFAST Draft EIS/OEIS.
All meetings will start with an open house session from 5 p.m. to 7
p.m. A formal presentation and public comment period will be held from
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Public hearings will be held on the following dates
and at the following locations: March 4, 2008 at the Tidewater
Community College, Advanced Technology Center, Technology Theater,
Faculty Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia; March 6, 2008 at Boston
University, Kenmore Classroom Building, Room 101, 565 Commonwealth
Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts; March 11, 2008 at the Crystal Coast
Civic Center, 1st Floor, Quads 1 and 2, 3505 Arendell Street, Morehead
City, North Carolina; March 13, 2008 at the Charleston Harbor Resort
and Marina, Atlantic Ballroom, 20 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant,
South Carolina; March 18, 2008 at the Florida Community College at
Jacksonville, Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts, Lakeside Conference
Room, 11901 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida; and March 19, 2008
at the Florida State University, Panama City Campus, Auditorium, 4750
Collegiate Drive, Panama City, Florida.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Naval Facilities Engineering Command,
Atlantic, Attention, Code EV22 (Atlantic Fleet Sonar Project Manager),
6506 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia 23508-1278; phone 757-322-
4767 for a recorded message; or https://afasteis.gcsaic.com.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Proposed Action is to designate areas
where mid- and high-frequency active sonar and the IEER system
training, maintenance, and RDT&E activities will occur, and to conduct
these activities. AFAST training and RDT&E activities involving active
sonar and the IEER system are collectively described as active sonar
activities in the AFAST Draft EIS/OEIS. These active sonar activities
are not new and do not involve significant changes in systems, tempo,
or intensity from past activities. The purpose of the Proposed Action
is to provide active sonar training for U.S. Navy Atlantic Fleet ship,
submarine, and aircraft crews, and to conduct RDT&E activities to
support the requirements of the Fleet Readiness Training Plan (FRTP)
and stay proficient in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Mine Warfare
(MIW) skills. The FRTP is the Navy's training cycle that requires naval
forces to build up in preparation for operational deployment and to
maintain a high level of proficiency and readiness while deployed.
The FRTP requires Basic Unit Level Training (ULT), Intermediate
ULT, and Sustainment Training. The Navy meets these requirements during
Independent ULT, Coordinated ULT, and Strike Group Training. At the
beginning of the cycle, basic combat skills are learned and practiced
during basic Independent ULT activities. Basic skills are then refined
during Coordinated ULT. Strike Group Training is integrated training
using progressively more difficult, complex, and large-scale exercises
conducted at an increasing tempo. This training provides the warfighter
with the skills necessary to function as part of a coordinated fighting
force in a hostile environment with the capacity to accomplish multiple
missions.
Surface ships and submarines participating in the training also
must conduct active sonar maintenance pier side and during transit to
the training exercise location. The active sonar maintenance is
required to ensure that the sonar system is operating properly before
engaging in the training exercise or when the sonar systems are
suspected of operating at levels below optimal performance.
Additionally, RDT&E provides the Navy the capability of developing
new active sonar systems and ensuring their safe and effective
implementation for the Atlantic Fleet. The RDT&E activities analyzed in
the AFAST Draft EIS/OEIS are similar to, and coincident with, Atlantic
Fleet training events and have not been previously evaluated in other
environmental planning documents.
The Navy's need for training and RDT&E is found in Title 10 of the
USC, Section 5062 (10 U.S.C. 5062). Title 10 U.S.C. 5062 requires the
Navy to be ``organized, trained, and equipped primarily for prompt and
sustained combat incident to operations at sea.'' The current and
emerging training and RDT&E activities addressed in this Draft EIS/OEIS
are conducted in fulfillment of this legal requirement.
The Draft EIS/OEIS evaluates the potential environmental impacts of
four alternatives. Under Alternative 1, Designate Fixed Active Sonar
Areas, fixed active sonar areas would be designated using an
environmental analysis to determine locations that would minimize
environmental effects to biological resources while still meeting
operational requirements. These areas would be available for use year-
round. Under Alternative 2, Designate Seasonal Active Sonar Areas,
active sonar training areas would be designated using the same
environmental analysis conducted under Alternative 1. The areas would
be adjusted seasonally to minimize effects to marine resources while
still meeting minimum operational requirements. Under Alternative 3,
Designate Areas of Increased Awareness, the results of the
environmental analysis conducted for Alternative 1 and 2 were used in
conjunction with a qualitative environmental analysis of sensitive
habitats to identify areas of increased awareness. Active sonar would
not be conducted within these areas of increased awareness. The No
Action Alternative can be regarded as continuing with the present
course of action. Under the No Action Alternative, the Navy would
continue conducting active sonar activities within and adjacent to
existing OPAREAs rather than designate active sonar areas or areas of
increased awareness. The No Action Alternative is the Navy's
Operationally Preferred Alternative.
The Navy analyzed potential impacts on multiple resources
including, but not limited to, the marine environment, marine life, and
socioeconomic resources. No significant adverse impacts are identified
for any resource area in any geographic location within the AFAST Study
Area that cannot be mitigated, with the exception of exposure of marine
mammals and sea turtles to underwater sound. NMFS has received a
request for Letter of Authorization (LOA) in accordance with the Marine
Mammal Protection Act to authorize the incidental take of marine
mammals that may result from the implementation of the activities
analyzed in the AFAST Draft EIS/OEIS. In addition, the AFAST Draft EIS/
OEIS will serve as the Biological Evaluation (BE) to enter into
consultation with NMFS in accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered
Species Act (ESA) to authorize the incidental take of endangered or
threatened marine mammals and sea turtles that may result from the
implementation of the
[[Page 8858]]
activities analyzed in the AFAST Draft EIS/OEIS. ESA consultation is
complete once NMFS prepares a final Biological Opinion and issues an
incidental take statement.
The AFAST Draft EIS/OEIS was distributed to Federal, State, and
local agencies, elected officials, and other interested individuals and
organizations on February 8, 2007. The public comment period will end
on March 31, 2008. Copies of the AFAST Draft EIS/OEIS are available for
public review at the following libraries: Portland Public Library, 5
Monument Square, Portland, Maine; New London Public Library, 63
Huntington Street, New London, Connecticut; Kirn Memorial Library, 301
East City Hall Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia; Carteret County Public
Library, 210 Turner Street, Morehead City, North Carolina; Charleston
County Public Library, 68 Calhoun Street, Charleston, South Carolina;
Jacksonville Public Library, 303 North Laura Street, Jacksonville,
Florida; Bay County Public Library, 25 West Government Street, Panama
City, Florida; Corpus Christi Public Library--Central Library, 805
Comanche, Corpus Christi, Texas; Boston Public Library--Central
Library, 700 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts; Ann Arundel County
Public Library, 1410 West Street, Annapolis, Maryland; and Camden
County Public Library, 1410 Highway 40 East, Kingsland, Georgia.
The AFAST Draft EIS/OEIS is also available for electronic public
viewing at https://afasteis.gcsaic.com. A paper copy of the Executive
Summary or a single CD with the AFAST Draft EIS/OEIS will be made
available upon written request by contacting Naval Facilities
Engineering Command, Atlantic, Attention: Code EV22 (Atlantic Fleet
Sonar Project Manager), 6506 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia
23508-1278, Fax: 888-875-6781.
Federal, State, and local agencies and interested parties are
invited to be present or represented at the public hearing. Written
comments can also be submitted during the open house sessions preceding
the public hearings. Oral statements will be heard and transcribed by a
stenographer; however, to ensure the accuracy of the record, all
statements should be submitted in writing. All statements, both oral
and written, will become part of the public record on the Draft EIS/
OEIS and will be responded to in the Final EIS/OEIS. Equal weight will
be given to both oral and written statements.
In the interest of available time, and to ensure all who wish to
give an oral statement have the opportunity to do so, each speaker's
comments will be limited to three (3) minutes. If a long statement is
to be presented, it should be summarized at the public hearing with the
full text submitted either in writing at the hearing, or mailed or
faxed to Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Attention:
Code EV22 (Atlantic Fleet Sonar Project Manager), 6506 Hampton
Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia 23508-1278, Fax: 888-875-6781. In
addition, comments may be submitted on-line at https://
afasteis.gcsaic.com during the comment period. All written comments
must be postmarked by March 31, 2008 to ensure they become part of the
official record. All comments will be addressed in the Final EIS/OEIS.
Dated: February 8, 2008.
T.M. Cruz,
Lieutenant, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register
Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-2810 Filed 2-14-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P
